It was a defensive battle Monday, as the number three ranked Bulldogs defeated the number one ranked Luxemburg-Casco Spartans in a serious division 2 showdown at New London.
Luxemburg-Casco is the defending two time state Champion in Division 2 softball, and favored to win the Conference again.
Monday’s defensive dual turned out to be the battle many expected from the get go.
The Bulldogs kept the Spartan hitters off the base pads. Luxemburg’s Danielle Deterville was solid early striking out six of the nine first batters she faced.
Niki Euhardy collected the teams first hit but Emily Gorges ended the inning striking out. The Bulldog defense put up two straight three up three down innings before the Spartans collected theur first hit in the fourth inning.
The Bulldogs had a good fourth inning when Niki Euhardy singled, and moved over on a Emily Gorges sacrifice bunt. Next the Spartans intentionally walked Brooke Fitzgerald with two outs to have runners on first and second. Kendra Krueger Struck out to end the inning.
The Bulldog infielders got most the work recording outs on the day as only two fly balls were sent into the outfield.
The fifth inning was the Bulldogs inning. Emily Wilfuer led off with a single and Deterville picked up two quick outs but lost some control when she walked Lexy Zaddack in 4 straight, then Jamie Siewert to load the bases.
Hot hitter, Niki Euhardy then put up a short single which was just enough for the Bulldogs lone run of the game.
From there on out the Spartans showed no signs of giving up as Danielle Depeau beat out a ground ball play. Missy Mlezvia advanced her to second on a sacrifice bunt but the defense turned two ground balls into outs including a ball sccop by first baseman Emily Steffanus to end the inning.
Deterville then pitched a three up three down on the Bulldogs, giving the Spartans one last chance they still had confidence left when Amanda Engebrose hit a single but was left stranded when Alex Marks lined to Emily Steffanus to end the game.
Both pitchers were excellent as Danielle Deterville for Luxemburg went the distance striking out 12 Bulldog batters, and walked 3. Emily Gorges pitched her fifth shutout, allowed two hits struck out three and walked one. Niki Euhardy went 3×3 at the plate including the games only RBI. Gorges currently has a 0.46 ERA. The Bulldogs have a 6-1 overall record and are 2-1 in the Bay. New London will host a double header Saturday at home against Denmark beginning at 11 a.m.